This month we are doing a double take of sorts regarding a few events that are associated with the Easter Story.
Last week we looked at the garden - The Garden of Gethsemane

Gethsemane means "great pressure" where the olives from this area were subjected to great pressure from an oil press.

Jesus was also subjected to great pressure as He:
1. Prayed drops of blood and struggled as He aligned His will with His Father's
2. Was betrayed by Judas
3. Was arrested by a mob including temple police
4. Endured a series of 6 illegal and unjust trials
5. Suffered indiscriminate beatings & humiliation
6. Was crucified to appease the religious leaders
7. Was buried in a tomb

A tomb is simply "a building or structure that serves as a repository for the remains of the dead."
They come in all shapes and sizes and some of them can cause you to do a double take and make you want to Take a Closer Look.
-Newgrange: 5,200 year old tomb located in Ireland
-Pyramids of Giza: From Egypt's Old Kingdom era and constructed some 4,500 years ago. Built to house the bodies of several Pharaohs
-Taj Mahal: Ivory white marble mausoleum in the Indian City of Agra. Commissioned in 1632 by emperor to house the tomb of his favorite wife and himself
-Mausoleum of Qin: Tomb of the first emperor of China which covers 12,800 acres

This morning we are going to look at the tomb where Jesus was laid to rest. It was sealed by the Romans and placed under guard.
Matthew 27:59-65

Our text this morning is found in John 20:1-10.
This story is told in all 4 gospel accounts.

We're going to Take a Closer Look at 5 truths and lessons about The Tomb that we can think about and apply to our lives.

1. The tomb is associated with DEATH.
John 19:30-42

Jesus died on the cross because He gave His life as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins.
Each of us are in a state of sin, void of spiritual life and as the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2, we are "dead in transgressions and sins."

2. The tomb is associated with DELIVERANCE.
John 20:1

Prophesied that Jesus would not stay in the grave (Psalm 16, Isaiah 53).
Also in New Testament (Romans 1:4).
The Bible says we too can be delivered from the power of sin, judgment of God, and the sting of death (Romans 8:2, 1 Corinthians 5:17).
The stone was rolled away so that we could see that we can live differently than we did before.

3. The tomb is associated with DESPAIR.
John 20:2

There was despair (emotional devastation) thinking that someone/enemies had removed His body. Mary had a limited view of what Jesus had taught. She wasn't thinking resurrection, she was thinking removal.
In a similar way, many people despair when a loved one dies. They have no hope in seeing the person again and no idea where the person will spend eternity.
John 11:25-26

4. The tomb is associated with DECISION.
John 20:3-9

In these verses Peter and John examine the facts and come to a decision - they saw and believed.
They accepted the facts as presented. Acts 1:3
The empty tomb has been scrutinized for nearly 2,000 years. It demands a decision.

5. The tomb is associated with DEVOTION.
John 20:10

Those who believe in Jesus must live as though their faith was fact.
This Easter our devotion must be demonstrated practically through our prayers, acts of service, words and attitudes toward others, and the sharing of our faith.

Application and Discussion:

1. Have you ever visited a famous tomb, and if so, what did you experience?

2. Look up the web link that was provided and learn something about the location of Jesus' tomb.

3. Read John 20:1-10. What are some insights that you gain?

4. Take a closer look at the 5 truths presented in the message. Which of these spoke most to you?